Photographic camera



- Feb. 1, 938. H.'KI JPPENBEI NDER PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA Filed-Se t 20, 1935 7 v 2 Sheets-Sheet} ,9 a e, v

- ing the position of the indicator ofthe-photom- Patented Feb. 1. 1938 PATENT ot-Pica I 2,106,894 rno'roGnsrmc c- Heins Kiippenbendu', Dresden, Germany, assignor to Zeiss Ikon Aktiehatt, Dresden,

. Germany Application September 20,1935, Serial No. 41,390 In Germany August 18, 1984 v 8 Claim.

This invention relates'to improvements in photographic cameras.

It pertains particularly to that type of cameras in which an electricphotometer forms part of the equipment associated with the camera, the

indication of the photometer being utilized for determining the setting of the diaphragm or oi the shutter, or of both. In cameras of this type the mechanical setting means for the diaphragm 10 may, for instance, be coupled with the electric,

photometer so as to cause an indicator-in the circuit of'the photometer to assume a predetermined position when the diaphragm has been set to the aperture called for by certain light conditions to which the photometer is responsive.

The instrument of the photometer is thereby subjected to circuit conditionsresulting from uniform increments; positive or negative, in the value of the current, while the adjustments of the diaphragm are non-uniform. In the cameras of this type'it was customary to provide a mechanical equalization means between the setting mechanism for the diaphragm and'the means for varying the current coridltions'in the photometer to produce a uniform influence upon the instrument oi the photometer in spite of-n'on-uniiormsettings of the diaphragm.

Similarly also, ithad been proposed to couple the mechanism for setting the shutter to predetermined speed values with the means for altereter, whereby likewise the registration 'of the instrument of the photometer with a fixed mark on the same served as an indication that the 5 proper setting of the shutter had been obtained.

It is an object oilthe present invention to eliminate injassemblies of this character mechahical means interposed between the diaphragm or shutter and the photometer, respectively. 40 I Another object of the invention ,is to provide a photographic camera having an electric photometer adapted to generate itsown current upon energization by light, and having mechanical means for setting the diaphragm or the shutter or both and effect an equalizing coupling between the setting meansoi thispart and the instrument of the. photometer by electricmeans.

The invention also has the object of providing mechanism of the diaphragm or shutter alters the value of the resistance in the circuit of the photcmeter andeflects a uniform alteration, a positive or-negative increment oi! the current value o! the -photometer even though the successive a camera of this character wherein the setting settings or the shutter or diaphragm respectively are non uniformly determined.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a camera ofthis character wherein the Y setting means for the diaphragm or shutter are 5 adapted to engage successively andcon'ductively resistance sections serially positioned in the circuit oi the photometer, the length of adjustments for successive settings of the diaphragm or shutter being non-uniform, and hence also the length of contact between the setting means and the resistance sections being non-uniform, the resistance values, however, of these sections being uniform in spite of their unequal dimensions.

The invention, therefore, also has the object of interposing in a circuit of an electric photometer forming a part of a camera equipment, a plurality of resistance sections successively engageable by the setting means for the diaphragm'or shutter, the conductors in the several resistance sections, however, having diilerent coeflicients oi resistance for the purpose of making uniform the increments, positive or negative, in the current values or the photometer which are obtained by I the proper setting of the diaphragm or shutter. With these and numerous other objects in .view, embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification which makes reference to the drawings.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically the assembly of a photometer with setting means for the diaphragm and setting means for the shutter, wherein the successive adjustments of the diaphragm non-uniform while the successive adjust- 'ments.of the shutter are approximately uniform.

Fig. 2 shows dically a similar assembly of setting means for diaphragm and shutte'r with a photometer wherein, however, successive adjustments or both the diaphragm and the shutter tor the proper aperture and speed values are non-uniform.

Fig. 3 shows in horizontal section and partly top plan view a camera equipped with a photom-- (etc; and setting means for the diaphragm and shutter, and

Fig. 4 is a front elevation oi a camera of this character. The electric photometer I, Fig. 1, is of that type 50 in which upon energizatiorr by light, an instrument 2 in the circuit 0! the photometer shows the deflections oi. a pointer depending upon the value of the'current generated by the photometer. The conductor, 3 extending from the photoelectric u whichin Fig.1 may be considered to be associated with the shutter equipment.

Another setting mechanism 8 for the diaphragm also is illustrated as a pointer which may be considered insulated from the setting mechanism 4 for the shutter and which also is adapted to sweep or slide in conductive relation overa resistance l associated with the diaphragm. From this second setting means a conductor I leads to the instrument 2 of the photometer, the circuit being closed by a return conductor 2. It

will be obvious, therefore, that the current value in the circuit of the photo-electric generator and the instrument will be determined by the value of the resistance to which the setting means i and 6 have been adjusted.

The dial indications II and H for shutter and diaphragm respectively furthermore show that the gradations of the diaphragm dial are more lacking in uniformity than the gradations o! the shutter dial whichare approximately uniform in.

Fig. l. since it is desirable upon setting the disphragm or shutter to difierent successive values to alter the current in the photometer circuit uniformly, the resistance sections Id, 1b, 10, etc., of which the resistance 1 is composed and which are respectively associated with the gradations oi the diaphragm dial, are 01' nonuniform resistance value. The length of adjustment between the indications 2 and {.4 on the diaphragm dial'be- .ing considerably greater than the length of adjustment between the indications22 and I3, it is obvious that the adjustments nearer the upper end of the diaphragm dial would induce greater increments in the current values thamthe adjustmerits nearer the lower end of the can, l'ior the purpose of equalizing these increments, the resistance sections associated with the various dial indications have been made nonuniform, for instance by making these sections of conductors having diflerent coemcients of resistance. In this manner the unequal settings oi the diaphragm are equalized in their influence upon the reading of the instrument 2. v

In Fig. 2 illustrating a similar diagrammatic assembly, the setting mechanism I for the shutter is adopted to remain in sliding contact with serially disposed resistance sections is, lb, lc, etc., the ohmic values of which may be uniform in spite of the fact that the path of adjustment for successive settings is nod-uniform. Here also the various sections 5a, lb, Ic, etc., may, therefore, be made of conductors of difierent ooeiilclents of resistance to produce upon successive settings of the shutter uniform increments, positive or nega-- tive, in the current values of the photometer circult. The resistance I associated with the setting mechanism 8 for the diaphragm is subdivided into sections similarly to the showing og Flg. 1.

In incorporating this assembly with a photographic camera, the arrangement may be made by way of example as illustrated in ms. 3. and.4. The casing" of the is shown equipped at the front wall with a closure I! overlying the layers l! or materials which upon energization by lightgenerate. an ourrent in conductors emanating from the end layers or the cell formed in this manner. "An opening Jl preferably in the top walltoi' the camera permits the user to observe the position r anointed-I! of an instrument influenced by the circuit in respect of a fixed mark 2|, also visible throughthe opening l8.

The lens'znounting 21 illustrated in Fig. 3 is of the readily detachable type permitting the use of selectively determined lenses asdesired. The resistances I and 5 respectively are secured to the detachable lens mounting and are adapted to be contacted by wiping elements 22 and 2! respectively-which may be assumed to be associated and to form part 01' the setting means for the diaphragm and ior the shutter respectively. The setting means 22 for the diaphragm are mounted in cooperation with thedial indications by means of a pointer 24 in a manner well known in the art. jlhe shutter exemplified in the present instance by a slit shutter 25 is set by means of a button 28 preferably at the front wall of the camera in cooperation'with' a dial. the values of which appear at l l. The button or knob 26 actuates upon manipulation a train of gears 21, 28 for imparting a proper sliding movement to the member 23 in relation withthe resistance 5 attached to on camera mounting.v

In the use of the camera the setting means 22 for the diaphragm is actuated to a predetermined aperture value, whereby the resistance of the circuit in the photometer is subjected to analter. ation proceeding in uniform increments. The shutter settting means 2| is then manipulated until the pointer is observed by the user enters into registering position with the fixed mark 20 which then indicates that the proper adjustment of the shutter has been attained.

I claim:

1. In a photographic camera the combination of an electric photometer, a shutter coupled to the photometer, mechanical means movable over distances of varying (lengths for setting the shutter to selective speed values, a dial having non-uniform gradations indicating said speed values, and electrical means iorrendering uniform the increments in the currentoi the photom-.

eter upon adjustments of the shutter to successive speed values, said last named means-being formed by resistance sections in the photometer circuit successively engageable .by the shutter 1 setting means and having non-uniform coeiilcients of resistance, the coeflicients of resistance being 'reversely proportionate to the distance between each two successive dial gradations.

2. Ina photographic camera the combination of an electric photometer, a shutter, means for setting the shutter selectiveLv to diflerent speed values, said shutter setting means being-coupled with the photometer, a diaphramnieans !or setting the diaphragm selectively to diflerent aperture values, said diaphragm letting means being coupled with'the photometer, dials indicating the speed values and aperture values respectively, each of the dials having non-uniform gradations, the coupling between said shutter setting means and the diaphragm setting means and the photometer respectively includingserially connected sectionsotohmicreaistanoesinthe photometer circuit successively. engageable by the two setting means respectively, said ohmic resistance sections having non-uniform coemcients for adjusting the opening of said lens system, a. shutter, means iorladjusting the speed-of said shutter, a photoelectric cell independently arranged of said adjusting means, a circuit therefor, and a resistance in said circuit, said two adjusting means comprising each an indicatin member each having rigidly connected thereto 4 a contact member in sliding engagement with said resistance, the resistances between any-two consecutive positions of each of said indicatin members being of equal ohmic value, and a measuring instrument in the circuit of said photometer for indicating the correct setting of said two adjusting means with respect to each other.

4. In a photometer for photographic cameras provided with exposure time adjusting means,

a diaphragm and diaphragm adjusting means, a

photoelectric cell, a circuit thereion'an ohmic resistance, a measuring instrument in said circuit, two contact members in sliding engagement with said resistance, one of said contacts being moved in coincidence with the displacement of the exposure time adjusting means oi the photographic camera and the other contact member being moved in coincidence with the displacement of the diaphragm adjusting means, means for connecting said contact members with the photoelectric circuit, said measuring instrument being adapted to be adjusted to its zero position by corresponding adjustment of said two contact.

' members, a dial having non-uniform gradations conforming to selected positions of the exposure time adjusting means and the diaphragm ad- ,justing means respectively of theadjoined photographic camera, the resistance being subdivided in like manner as the dial intostages of different size, all stages being of equal ohmic value.

5. In a photometer for photographic cameras provided with two exposure adjusting means, namely one means for adjusting the opening of the camera lens and another means for adjusting'the speed of the shutter; a photoelectric cell, a circuit therefor, an ohmic resistance, a measuring instrument in said circuit, two contact members in sliding engagement with said resistance, one of said contact members being mechanically connected with said lens adjusting means and the other contact member being mechanically connected with said shutter-speed 'adjusting means, both contact members being moved in coincidence with the displacement of the respective exposure adjusting means'of the photographic camera, means for connecting said I contact members with the photoelectric circuit,

said measuring instrument being adapted to be adjusted to its zero position by corresponding adjustmentiof said two'contact members, a dial having non-uniform gradations conforming to selected positions 0! the said exposure adjusting means 'otfthe adjoined photographic camerav the resistance being subdivided in like manner as the dial into stages 0! different size, all stages being of equal ohmic value, said dial being so arranged, that the outside'gradations' correspond to extreme positions oi the said exposure adjustingmeans. i a 6. In a photometerior photographic cameras provided with two exposure adjusting means, namely one means tor adjusting the opening or the camera lens and another-means for adjusting the speed of the shutterj a photoelectric cell, a

circuit therefor, an ohmic resistance, a measuring instrument in said circuit, two contact members in sliding engagement with said resistance, one

01 said contact members being mechanically connected with said lens adjusting means and the other contact member being mechanically connected with said shutter speed adjusting means, both contact members being moved in coincidence with the displacement of the respective exposure adjusting means of the photographic camera, means for connecting said contact members with the photoelectric circuit, said measuring instrument being adapted to be adjusted to its zero position by corresponding adjustment of said contact members, a dialhaving non-uniform gradations conforming to selected positions 

